Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1887-01-23

at Uds treating us like children, Kate,
but We must make them pay for it here
after. For that package and letter to John
means something, and VIC shall probably
see them before long. l wonder what the
letter is about, and what is in the pack
age?'
Probably one of Mr.. Lees jokes. He
is quite capable of turning the whole thing
into ridicule. / dare say he considers. his
visit here u prolonged jest"
with his poor leg, Kate? You are as
unfair to him rs you We're TO Falkner when
they first came"
Kate, however, kept her dark eyebrows
knitted in a piquant frown.
ITO think of his intimating rhdt he
would allow Falkner TO say! And yet you
believe he has no evil influence over the
young man"
Mrs. Hale laughed. Where are you
going so fast, Kate?" she called, mis-
chievously, as the young lady flounced out
of the room.
Where? Why, to tidy Johns room.
He may be coming at any moment now.
Or do you want TO do it YOURSELF"
.No, no." returned Mrs. Hale, hur-
riedly, you do it. I'll look in a little
later on"
She turned away with a sigh. The sun
was shining brilliantly outside. Through
the half-Open blinds its long shafts seemed
to be searching the house for the lost
guests, and making the hollow shell appear
doubly empty. What q contrast to the
dear dark days OF mysteriOus ~seclusiOn and
delicious security, lit by Lees laughter
and the sparkling hearth, which had passed
so quickly! The forgotten outer world
seemed 10 have returnd to the house
through those open windows and awakened
its jewellers from a dream.
The morning seemed interminable, and
it was past noon, while they were deep in
a sympathetic conference with Mrs. Scott,
who had drawn II pathetic word picture OF
the two friends perishing in the snowdrift,
without f~lannels, brandy, smelling salts or
ielly, which they had forgotten, when they
were startled by the loud barking of Spot
ON the lawn before the house. The women
looked hurriedly at each other.
"They have returned" said Mrs. Hale.
Kate ran to the window. 4 horseman
glance showed her that it was neither
Falkner. Lee nor hale, but 4 stranger.
Perhaps he brings some news of them"
said Mrs. Scott, quickly. SO complete
mad been their peOccupation with the loss
OF their guests that they could not yet con-
ceive of anything that did not pertain to
it.
The stranger, who was ut once ushered
into the parlor, was e~videntaly d%iScOncert-
ed by the presence of the three women.
81 rcckOned to see John Hale yer" he
began, awkwardly.
A slight look OF disappointment passed
over their faces. "He has not yet return
cd" said Mrs. Hale briefly.
"Sho! | wanter know. He's. he'd time
to do 1t, ! reckon" said the stranger.
81 suppose he hasn't been able to get
over from the Summit" returned Mrs.
Hale. The trail is closed"
1T amt now, for | ken over it this
mOrnin' myself"
"Iou didn't-meet-any one?' asked
Mrs. Hale timidly, with Il glance at the
others.
NO"
A long silence cnsued. The unfortunate
visitor plainly rerceived an evident ahatc-
ment of interest in himself, yet he still
struggled politely to say something.
''Then reckon yOu know what kept Hale
away" he said obviously.
"Oh, certainly-the stage robbery"
Il wish Id known that" said the
stranger relectivcly, for | ~ good ca
rode over jist to tell it to We. Ie see John
Hale, has sent a note TO We 'splainin' mat
tiers by u gentleman; but the road agents
Ia..ll.l th,, - nnl latt hin, I.r ,l.nl in
the road
Eyes" said Mrs. Hale impatiently.
Luckily he didn't die, but ken to and
I managed 10 crawl inter the bush, whar !
found him when | was loOkin' for stock,
and | brought him to my house,
"Nou found him? IOur house." inter
rupted Mrs. Hale.
''Inter my house" continued the man
doggedly. 'Tm Thompson of ThOmp-
sons Pass over yon; mebbe it amt much
OF house, hut | brought him thar. Well,
ez he couldn't find the note that Hale had
guv him, and like ez not the road agents
had gone through him and got it, ez soon
ez the weather let up | made n break over
yer to tell We"
''You say Mr.. Lee came 10 your house"
repeated Mrs. Hale, and is there nOw?'
"NOt much" said the man grimly;
and | never said Lee was thar. ] mean
that BilsOn WIS shot by Lee and kcm"-
Certainly, J%oscphine!' said Kate, sud
denly stepping between her sister and
Thompson, and turning upon her n white
face and eyes of silencing significance;
certainly don't you ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
the story We got from the Chinaman, you
know, only muGdlcd, Go on, sir" she
contiLued, turning Ia Thompson cImly;
won say that the man who brought the
note from my brother was shot by Leo"
"And another fellow they call Falkner.
Yes, that's about the size of it,"
Thank you; it's nearly the same story
that we heard. But you have had Il long
ride, Mr.. Thompson; let me offer yon a
glass of whiskcy in the dining room. This
way, please"
The door closed upon them nom too
soon. For Mrs. Hale already felt the room
whirling around her and sunk back into
! her chair with an hysterical laugh. Old
, Mrs. Scott did not move from her seat,
r but with her eyes fixed on the door, I'M
patiently waited Hates return. Neither
/, spoke. but each felt that the young, uu-
tried girl was equal to the emergency and
would get ut the truth.
The sound of ThOmpsOn's feet in the hall
and the closing of the front door was fol-
lowed by Rates reappearancc. Her face
WIS still pale, but calm.
"Well?n said the two wOmen in a breath.
"Well,' returned Kate, slowly, Mr..
Lee and Mr.. Falkner were undoubtedly
the two men who took the paper from
Johns messenger and brought it here"
You are sure said Mrs. Scott.
There can be no mistake, mother
Then" said Mrs. Scott, with triumph
ant feminine logic, II don't want anything
more to satisfy me that they are perfectly
innocent
More convincing than the most perfect
masculine deduction, this single expression
of their common nature sent a thrill of
sympathy and understanding through
each. They cried for a few moments on
each others shoulders.
TO think" said Mrs. Scott, ~ hat